Woman charged with stabbing EMT inside ambulance near courthouse

BOSTON — A 31-year-old woman is accused of stabbing and seriously wounding a female EMT near a Boston courthouse on Wednesday.

Julie Tejeda, of East Boston, has been charged with assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a public employee, Boston Police said.

The stabbing occurred late Wednesday afternoon inside an ambulance, while a Boston EMT was treating Tejeda, who was being transported as a patient to an area hospital, police said.

Police responded to New Chardon Street near the courthouse at around 4 p.m. after receiving a report of a stabbing and found a 14-year-veteran EMT with multiple stab wounds.

She underwent surgery at MGH and the Boston Public Health Commission said in a statement that she was awake and recovering Wednesday night.

"It’s crazy. It's scary. It's senseless, bizarre violence," said Keenan Cochrane, who lives nearby.

The ambulance had responded to a call for an "emotionally disturbed person" in East Boston and was transporting Tejeda to MGH when she allegedly began stabbing one the EMTs.

From the fourth floor of a nearby building, Sherley Riviere heard the commotion unfolding at street level, right outside the Edward Brooke Courthouse.

"We just heard yelling and screaming," said Riviere.

Investigators say the second EMT put the vehicle in park, and tried to intervene when Tejeda sprayed him with mace. That EMT was treated and released, the BPHC said.

“Every day they go out and they help people they go out they save lives. They do not deserve to be attacked," said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross during a press conference on Wednesday.

Gross said what the two EMTs faced on the job is proof that there is no such thing as a routine call for first responders.

Officials have not said what type of weapon was used in the stabbing.

Tejeda, who was taken into custody at the scene, is expected to be arraigned Thursday morning.

Cox Media Group